Jim Whitney Economics 250

Friday, April 12, 2013

 

Oligopoly conduct: Example 2 Kinked demand theory

The diagram to the right depicts Penn's sales of tennis balls. Penn currently produces and prices at point a:
    Output = 8
    Price = 2.40

Penn realizes that its demand is (select "more" or "less") ________ elastic if it changes its price and its rivals do not change their price at the same time. As a result, choosing between D1 and D2 in the diagram to the right, Penn's demand
    = ______ if only Penn changes its price
    = ______ if Penn and its rivals change their price together

Suppose that Penn assumes:
    a. if it raises its price, its rivals will NOT change their price, and
    b. if it lowers its price, its rivals WILL also lower their price.

    1. Indicate Penn's perceived demand curve if Penn raises its price. Indicate also Penn's corresponding marginal revenue curve.

    2. Indicate Penn's perceived demand curve if Penn lowers its price. Again, indicate Penn's corresponding marginal revenue curve.

    3. For future reference, link together your two marginal revenue segments.

    4. Complete the following table of Penn's profit-maximizing quantity and expected price for each of the following constant cost marginal cost curves:

 Case Marginal 
cost
Penn's profit-maximizing...
Quantity Price
1 $.80 8 $2.40
2 1.20    
3 1.60    
4 2.00    
5 0.40    

    5. Note: D1 and D2 both cross at point a, Penn's current output and price combination. Is it just coincidence that MR1 and MR2 also cross at Penn's current price of $2.40? Why or why not?